Tastemakers: Taste the Passion - Bel Lago Cherry Port

Feb. 15, 2006

Taste the Passion Leelanau Peninsula
Wine trail touring was popular long before the movie “Sideways” romanticized it. There is plenty of evidence of that locally. Since its inception six years ago the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association (LPVA) member wineries (13) have attracted nearly a million visitors to the area. Northern Michigan is fortunate to have two internationally recognized wine regions (Old Mission & Leelanau Peninsula) and collectively they have become a major economic force, especially in the troubled tourism industry.
Both wine regions offer unique wine trail events that have been attracting visitors from all over the country (as well as Japan, England and Canada). But that is the business side of it all; the reason for all the success is in the simple fact that wine country touring is a lot of fun. This weekend the LPVA will host their 5th annual Taste the Passion weekend. Participants will receive a collectible event wine glass and a special wine pour and food pairing at each of the participating wineries. The food pairings are often unique such as tiramisu pasta and there will be plenty of chocolate.
Concerned about calories? Don’t be. The vintners offer an optional snowshoe stomp in the vineyards (comes with a cool long-sleeved logoed shirt. Taste the Passion is February 18 & 19 and with the Presidents Day holiday on Monday the Vintners are offering a “locals” (visitors are welcoming too) special for $15 (regular price $25) on Sunday.
A portion of the weekends proceeds to goes to the Leelanau Vintners Charities that has contributed and assisted in the raising of hundreds of thousand of dollars for regional cultural, culinary and land preservation organizations. For additional information visit www.lpwines.com or call (231) 938-1811.
(Rick Coates coordinates events and marketing for the LPVA)


Bel Lago Cherry Port
Cherry harvest is still five months off but enjoying Northern Michigan’s number one crop year-round is easily done with several value-added products. Cherry jams and pies are the obvious and Ray Pleva has showed the world that cherries are great even in sausage. Over at Cherry Republic they have proven that there are 150 plus ways to enjoy cherries throughout the year.
In honor of National Cherry Month (February) Bel Lago will feature their Cherry Port during this weekend’s Taste the Passion festivities (see Tastemakers).
Proprietors Dr. Amy Iezzoni and her husband winemaker Dr. Charles Edson are rooted in the cherry industry. Both are professors of horticulture at MSU (Edson recently retired to work full time at the winery) and Iezzoni is the reigning Cherry Queen. No not the National Cherry Queen, but the queen of the industry. In the early ‘80s Iezzoni was researching genetic issues for the cherry industry in Hungary when she came across the Balaton cherry. In 1984 she introduced the robust dark burgundy, sweet-tart cherry to the U.S. The Balaton has breathed new life in a sagging cherry industry, and local growers just received a $100,000 grant to promote value-added Balaton products.
But Edson and Iezzoni didn’t wait for the grant; they introduced their Cherry Port a few years ago and it has been flying off the shelves. Bel Lago Cherry Port is a rich blend of the Hungarian tart cherry varieties Danube and Balaton along with the popular Montmorency. Fortified with cherry spirits, the port is 19% (38 proof) and has a hint of sweetness to it. It is a delightful after dinner wine and pairs wonderfully with chocolate desserts. Bel Lago will be pairing their Cherry Port this weekend with a chocolate cherry cupcake.
For info visit www.bellago.com or call (231) 938-1811.